Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a police officer in Los Angeles in 'End of Watch.' / Scott Garfield, Open Road Films

by Steve Jones, USA TODAY

by Steve Jones, USA TODAY

A pair of cops (Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña) who patrol South-Central L.A. run afoul of gangbangers, assorted lowlifes and federal agents. When they stumble upon a secret that puts them in the crosshairs of a Mexican drug cartel, survival becomes even more of a challenge.

USA TODAY's Claudia Puig says * * * stars out of four: "With its gritty, unnerving style and darkly funny banter, it's an action thriller that has more in common with Training Day - also written by writer/director David Ayer - than with Lethal Weapon."

The Paperboy2012, Millennium Flims, R, $29; DVD+Blu-ray, $35

A reporter (Matthew McConaughey) returns to Florida to investigate the murder of a sheriff and exonerate the death row inmate (John Cusack) accused of killing him. He's joined by his brother (Zac Efron), a fellow reporter (David Oyelowo) and a woman (Nicole Kidman) in love with the accused, even though they've never met. Puig: * * * stars

For a Good Time, Call ...2012, Focus, R, $30; DVD+Blu-ray, $35

A pair of reluctant roommates (Ari Graynor and Lauren Miller), both in need of cash, join forces to start a phone sex business that solves their money problems. It also melts the ice between them. Only time will tell if their newfound friendship can withstand some unexpected challenges. USA TODAY's Scott Bowles: * * stars

The Imposter2012, Indomina Releasing, R, $20

This documentary - which relies in part on dramatic re-creations - tells the story of a 13-year-old San Antonio boy who disappears without a trace, only to resurface in Spain three years later. He claims to have been kidnapped and tortured, but his family is just happy to have him back. There are questions, however, about how the child's appearance and accent could be so radically different.